Changing City: Rs 515-crore water tunnel project to boost water supply in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs

Commencing from the Powai Gardens, the tunnel will span a length of 4.4 km, before connecting at the high-level reservoir in Ghatkopar and later up to the low-level reservoir.

Once commissioned, the tunnel will facilitate an extra supply of water from the Ghatkopar reservoir while also replacing the existing, old surface network. According to officials, the project is to improve water distribution in the L ward, which encompasses the densely populated pockets of Kurla as well as in N ward, which comprises Ghatkopar and parts of Vikhroli and Vidyavihar.

Executed by the Water Supply Projects (WSP) department, the project commenced in 2023. The work is being executed by Patel Engineering, who has been roped in as the contractor.

The structure

Since the tunnel passes through the densely populated pockets, the civic body has resorted to the TBM technology to ensure minimal surface disruptions. While the total tunnel spans 4.4 km in length, the TBM-driven tunnel covers 2.7 km. The tunnel has an external diameter of 2.80 metres and a finished diameter of 2.20 metres.

Once commissioned, the tunnel will facilitate an extra supply of water from the Ghatkopar reservoir while also replacing the existing, old surface network. (Express photo)

The TBM tunnel has been excavated at a depth of 60 metres. It comprises two main segments, which includes 2.045 km from Powai to the high-level reservoir at Ghatkopar, while 0.74 km spans from high level to low level reservoir in Ghatkopar.

Cost and Timeline

The project is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 515.16 crore. Work on the project commenced in 2023 and is expected to be completed by March 1, 2027.

After the  breakthrough of the TBM-segment tunnel was achieved last month, work on the steel reinforcement for the RCC work of the tunnel is also underway.

Administration speaks

“On completion of the tunnel, the water from the Ghatkopar high-level reservoir and low-level reservoir will be fed through this tunnel. Hence, the duty of the reservoir will increase, boosting and improving the distribution of water in the L ward and N ward,” said a senior BMC officer.

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